21 September 2017
Duck hunters should expect fair to good numbers of ducks present in most areas on opening weekend based on reports from state and federal wildlife managers. Blue-winged teal, wood ducks, and mallards should dominate hunters’ bags in most areas; ring-necked ducks should be more common in the north zone.
The number of breeding ducks in Minnesota, and continentally, remains good based on spring waterfowl surveys. Waterfowl production (number of young hatched) was thought to be fair in Minnesota based on anecdotal field reports. The number of breeding Canada geese in the state was high this year with good production. Molt migrant Canada geese have moved back into Minnesota so goose numbers should be good in many areas.
Water levels are good across most of the state for this time of the year so access should not be an issue for most hunters. Wild rice production was good this year on most wild rice basins. Small grain harvest is complete and some soybean harvest has started.
In recent years, about 90,000 state waterfowl stamps have been sold and based on waterfowl hunter surveys, about 50,000 hunters are expected to participate this weekend. Goose hunter numbers during the September season (26,500) were slightly higher than last year (26,000) but the 2nd lowest on record.
Temperatures on opening day are expected to be in the low 60s in the north and low 80s in the south. Rain and/or thunderstorms are expected across most of the state that may continue into early next week.
Sept 21 2017 MN WF Mig Report.pdf- (95.55 KiB) Downloaded 393 times
